Digital Commons Network^™

Near Real-Time Monitoring Reveals Extensive Recent Forest Disturbance In Ghana’S Protected Areas, Luofan Dong, Xiaojing Tang, Foster Mensah, Bashara Ahmed Abubakari, Kelsee H. Bratley, Pontus Olofsson, Curtis E. Woodcock

Faculty Scholarship

The Protected Areas (PAs) in Ghana play a critical role in preserving the abundant biodiversity of the West Africa Green Belt. But recent changes in policies and regulations have facilitated logging and mining activities, which have accelerated forest disturbances. While there is a consensus that PAs are undergoing destructive change, the extent, rate, and locations of forest disturbances are undocumented. In this study, we applied the fusion near real-time (FNRT) algorithm that utilizes Landsat, Sentinel-1, and Sentinel-2 data and sampling to monitor forests in the PAs of Ghana. The results reveal that 704.74 (±177.24) km2 of forest in the PAs …

Cold-Shock Protein Scaffold For Engineering Non-Antibody Binding Proteins, Jack Mathew Webster

USF Patents

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods directed to non-antibody protein scaffolds derived from cold-shock proteins.

Multispectral Image Analysis Using Deep Neural Networks, Arun D. Kulkarni

Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Multispectral image classification plays a crucial role in remote sensing applications such as land cover mapping, agricultural monitoring, and environmental surveillance. Traditional classification techniques, including the Maximum Likelihood Classifier (MLC), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree (DT), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), often struggle with the complexity and high dimensionality of multispectral data. Recent advances in deep learning have revolutionized the field of remote sensing by enabling the extraction of high-level, abstract features from raw input data. In this paper, we explore the application of Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) for pixel-wise classification in multispectral imagery. DNNs are capable of learning informative …

The Impact Of The Guided Discovery Method Combined With Sequential Learning On Selected Artistic Gymnastics Skills Among University Students, Ali Shakir Neamah

Modern Sport

This study aims to examine the impact of employing the guided discovery method as the primary approach in teaching certain gymnastics skills, with the sequential method serving as a supportive tool to organize and structure the learning stages. which emphasized the combination of both methods so as to achieve both cognitive and motor objectives for the students. The importance of the current article lies on the emphasizing the duty of guided discovery to develop students’ analytical skills and thinking and motivate the learners to participate actively in the process of learning. Moreover, it contributes to develop motor skill through the …

Design And Standardization Of A Test To Measure Arm Motor Speed Using A Bulgarian Bag ‘Among 18–20 Years Old’ Weighing Between 65 And 86 Kg, Jalal Abdul Zahra Kanaan

Modern Sport

The importance of this research lies in understanding the reality of arm kinetic velocity and how to develop it for the better by measuring it and determining its level during the training period. This is achieved by establishing criteria and levels that help coaches and players determine its true level. The research problem was: Kinetic velocity is an important physical requirement in wrestling, especially for the arms, in performing quick and varied movements that help the wrestler perform the required grip on the opponent. This enables the desired accomplishment to be achieved after being tested and measured using a scientific …

Neuromuscular And Electromyographic Responses To Tailored Plyometric Training In Elite Heavyweight Wrestlers, Ghazwan Kareem Khothier

Modern Sport

This study aimed to examine the impact of a specialized plyometric training program on neuromuscular and EMG responses in elite heavyweight wrestlers. The focus was on exploring changes in muscle activation patterns, contraction velocity, and motor latencies following a tailored training protocol. A quasi-experimental design was used, with 12 elite heavyweight male wrestlers. Electromyographic data were collected from the vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles. Maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and contraction velocity were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. A plyometric training program was conducted three times per week for six weeks, including exercises such as depth jumps, hurdle hops, …

The Effect Of Using An Educational Package On Cognitive Achievement And The Basketball Lay-Up Shooting Skill Performance Among Female Students, Rana Abdul Majeed Alwan, Humam Basim Mohammed

Modern Sport

The study demonstrated a statistically significant positive impact of the educational package on improving cognitive achievement and organizing content in a systematic manner. Its use also led to an improvement in skill performance for basketball free throws, particularly within the experimental group. The modern method outperformed the traditional one, although both contributed to learning. Furthermore, the package contrib The study aimed to I dentify the effect of using an educational package on the academic achievement of female students at the College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Baghdad. The researcher adopted the experimental method, as it is suitable for …

The Effect Of Competitive Group Exercises On Improving Offensive Skill Speed In Basketball For 12–14 Year Olds, Zuhair Salem Abdul Razzaq

Modern Sport

Basketball is characterized by great speed, especially physical speed and speed of skill performance, as they play an important role in achieving sporting performances. Therefore, their importance has become apparent through interest in developing them according to specialized group exercises and a competitive atmosphere that helps them to adapt to the playing atmosphere for age groups of 12–14 years and building a correct Basketball base in the future. The research problem was: Skill and physical performance speed are not at the desired level as they progress through the training stages, including for youth and advanced players. Therefore, paying attention to …

The Effect Of Neuromuscular Training On Motor Response Speed In Tennis, Abdullah Adnan Mohamed

Modern Sport

The integration of modern training techniques and methods—such as neuromuscular training, was identified as an advanced trends in sports science. This approach aimed to enhance the efficiency of both the nervous and muscular systems simultaneously through exercises that strengthened the connection between the brain and muscles, leading to improvements in the speed and accuracy of motor performance. This study examined the effect of neuromuscular training on the speed of motor response among tennis players, a sport that required rapid reaction and precise execution. The researcher noted a lack of Arabic studies that investigated the effect of such training on motor …

The Reality Of Artificial Intelligence Applications In Sports Clubs In The Kingdom Of Bahrain, Dalal Salama Abu Sayam, Rana Majid Al Alawi

Modern Sport

This research aimed to identify the reality of AI applications in sports clubs in Bahrain by measuring the extent to which employees in sports clubs understand the concept and importance of AI and its uses in the sports field, as well as identifying the reality of AI systems application in these clubs and the main obstacles they face in this area. The study employed a questionnaire as a research tool, which was administered to a random sample selected using a snowball method, comprising 97 administrators and coaches from first-tier sports clubs. The study revealed a high level of understanding of …

Standardization Of A Visual Depth Test Tailored For Under-19 Tennis Athletes, Ibtisam Husham Jabur, Warda Ali Abbas

Modern Sport

This research provides coaches with a standardized, scientifically validated test to assess visual depth in youth tennis players under 19. The test aims to facilitate continuous evaluation of players’ performance during both training and official competitions. The research addresses the lack of standardized tests that accurately assess visual depth in youth tennis players under 19, particularly under conditions simulating actual competition. The absence of such essential assessment tools for this age group constitutes a significant research gap. Therefore, the researchers undertook the task of designing and standardizing the test. The objectives of the research included designing and standardizing a test …

Enhancing Stemm Education Through Advanced Technologies And Collaborative Programs, Zhongcheng Shi, Michael Nguyen, Yuan Yao, Debra D Murray, Rayne H Rouce, Veronica Ajewole, Huan Xie, Shixia Huang

Faculty and Staff Publications

Integrating advanced technologies into STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) education is essential for preparing a future-ready, diverse scientific workforce capable of addressing complex global challenges. This paper presents three interconnected programs-BRITE (Biotechnology Research Incubator for Teachers), ASPIRATION (AI-guided Scientist-Mentored Primary Literature Adaptation for STEMM Education), and C-REP (Cancer Research Education Program)-developed through collaborations with Advanced Technology Cores and multi-institutional participation, involving mentors ranging from core directors to graduate and medical students. While initially supported by internal funding, two of these initiatives have since secured NIH grant support. These initiatives provide immersive, hands-on training in genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, flow …

Multiomics Analysis Of Skeletal Muscle Identifies Dysregulation Of Hypoxia-Induced Genes In Peripheral Artery Disease, Ahmed Ismaeel, Emma Fletcher, Evlampia Papoutsi, Nicholas T. Thomas, William T. Bohannon, Iraklis I. Pipinos, Yuan Wen, Dimitrios Miserlis, Panagiotis Koutakis

Physiology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation play a critical role in hypoxic cell programs. However, no previous studies have investigated the epigenetic regulation of gene expression in peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition characterized by intermittent ischemia. Our study aims to examine how PAD affects the DNA methylome in skeletal muscle of patients with PAD with intermittent claudication or critical limb ischemia compared with non-PAD controls. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study evaluating differences in the DNA methylome and transcriptome using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, and small and bulk RNA sequencing, in skeletal muscle from non-PAD controls, intermittent claudication, …

Thermoneutrality Does Not Affect Angiotensin Ii–Induced Aortic Aneurysms In Hypercholesterolemic Mice, Liyuan Zhu, Bowen Li, Michael K. Franklin, Deborah A. Howatt, Yuriko Katsumata, Alan Daugherty, Hong S. Lu

Physiology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Fencing In The Summer Paralympic Games: A Historical-Analytical Study Of The Achievements Of The Countries Of The Participating Teams For The Period (1960–2024), Jamal Sakran Hamza, Saja Khaled Jassim Mohammed, Mohammed Ramadan Najm

Modern Sport

The Paralympic Games are one of the most important sporting events today, as they represent the other side of disability in the world, as “they are an embodiment of the human will and its ability to overcome challenges, and go beyond being just a sports competition to become a global platform that contributes to changing societal attitudes towards disability The purpose of the research is to conduct a historical and documentary analysis of the achievements of the national teams participating in the Paralympic fencing within the Summer Paralympic Games in the period from 1960 to 2024, the researchers used the …

The Effect Of Rondo Training On Motor Coordination And Accuracy Of Basic And Compound Skills For Second-Year Female Students, Shahad Ali Abd-Al Hussain, Nada Mohammed Ameen

Modern Sport

Rondo training is one of the important training methods due to its importance in maintaining the ball on the one hand, and on the other hand, its role in developing motor coordination and its impact on the accuracy of the basic skill represented by the long pass from the shoulder level and the compound skill represented by the dribbling and chest pass. Motor abilities are also a link between physical and skill abilities and play an important role in the accuracy of performing the game’s skills, whether offensive or defensive .The objectives of the research were to prepare rondo basketball …

The Effect Of Differential Training Method Exercises On Developing Mental Imagery And Fundamental Skills In Football, Muthanna Sattar Hussein, Taghreed Mahdi Kadhim

Modern Sport

This study investigated the impact of a differential-training regimen on mental imagery and core technical skills among under-21 footballers in Baghdad, Iraq. Using a descriptive-experimental design, thirty youth-club players completed a six-week intervention consisting of three 90-minute sessions per week featuring varied, non-repetitive, game-representative tasks (passing in congestion, dribbling under pressure, finishing from multiple angles, and positional rotations). Outcomes included standardized tests of mental imagery and fundamental skills-ball control, passing, shooting, dribbling, and receiving-supplemented by a player questionnaire evaluating program clarity, variety, motivation, engagement, task difficulty, and perceived improvement. Paired-samples t-tests showed statistically significant pre- to post-intervention gains in mental …

The Effect Of Special Exercises On Developing Speed-Strength And Straight Punches For Junior Boxers, Omar Ali Mahdi

Modern Sport

The study aimed to prepare special exercises to develop speed-strength and straight punches for the research sample members. The research problem emerged as the researcher, being a boxing coach, observed a weakness in some physical abilities, including speed-strength, and inconsistency in the skill performance level (straight punches). Accordingly, the researcher prepared special exercises aimed at developing some physical abilities., including speed-strength and the performance of straight punches for juniors, and to contribute to improving and developing the players’ level, finding positive solutions, and understanding their impact on performance. The researcher used the experimental method. The sample consisted of junior boxers …

The Impact Of Hot And Arid Conditions On Dehydration Levels, Some Physiological Variables, And The Performance Some Of Basic Basketball Skills, Ahmed Hassan Yas, Fatmah Abd-Alredah Hatam

Modern Sport

The atmosphere in Baghdad and most regions of Iraq during the summer is characterized by extreme heat and aridity. These climatic conditions are among the negative factors that significantly impact cognitive function and the performance of athletic skills.

Consequently, The current study was designed to investigate the impact of hot and arid conditions on dehydration levels, specific physiological indicators, and the performance of key basketball skills among first-stage students at Al-Mustansiriya University. A sample of 30 students was randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was permitted to consume water and fluids ad libitum …

A Comparative Study Of The Cooperative Style And The Command Style In Teaching Selected Volleyball Skills To Intermediate-Stage Students, Arshad Mohammed Issa Abdullah, Aqeel Hamid Hussein Abbas

Modern Sport

The significance of this study stems from the absence of recent comparative research examining the cooperative style and the command style in volleyball instruction. The research problem was encapsulated in the following question: Are students taught through the cooperative style superior to those taught through the command style, or vice versa, in enhancing the level of volleyball instruction? The study aimed to identify statistically significant differences between the cooperative style and the command style in teaching volleyball to students and to determine the effectiveness of employing the cooperative style in teaching selected volleyball skills. The research population was deliberately selected, …

Cyber Operations As A Challenge To The Implementation Of International Humanitarian Law (Ihl), Anfaal Said Al-Nabhani

Sultan Qaboos University Legal Studies Journal

Cyber operations are thought to be one of IHL’s main challenges. This research examines cyber operations in armed conflicts, focusing on the following legal issues such as the definition of combatants and military objectives, attribution and responsibility, and the protection of civilians and civilian objects. This paper will contribute to the legal discourse on cyber threats, which will uniform future multilateral conventions regulating cyber warfare. This research paper adopted an analytical approach to assess the applicability of IHL in cyber warfare. Its results indicates that existing IHL rules are insufficient to cover cyber operations. The researcher recommends that the international …

Quality Improvement Project Providing Accessible Evidence-Based Education To Nurses Throughout A National Healthcare System, Bailey Wells

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The pursuit of ongoing professional development and learning is crucial to ensure nurses remain well-informed about healthcare trends and have access to the most up-to-date evidence-based materials. This quality improvement project aimed to implement a monthly educational series for nursing personnel within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) through expansion of the Veterans Administration (VA) – Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) program. Using Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory of Motivation in Psychology, participants’ previous knowledge was linked to continued professional development. The plan, do, study, act (PDSA) framework provided structure for the project, with the awareness, desire, knowledge, ability, and reinforcement (ADKAR) …

Quality Improvement Project Unlocking Critical Thinking: The Use Of Guided Reflection In Nursing Education, Alissa Wheat

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nursing education is at a crossroads as the demand for practice-ready nurses increases in a rapidly evolving healthcare environment. Despite high licensure pass rates, graduates often demonstrate gaps in clinical judgment and critical thinking, key competencies for safe nursing practice. This project addressed the problem of limited structured strategies to develop these competencies among pre-licensure nursing students in a Houston-based nursing program. The purpose was to evaluate guided reflection, implemented as a competency-based education (CBE) tool, to determine its effect on faculty perceptions of supporting critical thinking and clinical judgment. A quasi-experimental, one-group pretest–posttest design was conducted with clinical faculty …

Public Perceptions Of Universities As Public Entities During The Covid-19 Pandemic Era, Jinho Jung, Laura Barrett, Nicole Olynk Widmar, Mario Ortez

Department of Agricultural Economics Faculty Publications

Higher education institutions are facing challenges in navigating social, cultural, and political issues. The online presence of higher education presents a new set of opportunities and challenges; knowledge, news, and continuing education are increasingly disseminated online. Additionally, the public, student bodies and stakeholders are increasingly looking at reviews or seeking opinions via online and social media to form opinions on institutions. This analysis uses online and social media to analyze and compare perceptions of two public universities in Indiana, namely Purdue University and Indiana University. These two Indiana institutions are located in the same state, allowing for comparisons of public …

Cost-Effectiveness And Feasibility Of Anemia Management In Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review, Della Winanti, Isra Yanti, Nurul Fitriyah, Sirajul Munira, Mufdlillah Mufdlillah, Firdaus Hafidz

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia

Anemia among expectant mothers is a major health issue worldwide, especially in developing countries, where prevalence reaches 37%. Various interventions, such as micronutrient supplementation and intravenous iron administration, have been widely implemented. However, limited systematic reviews have comprehensively evaluated both the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of such interventions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This study aims to systematically evaluate recent evidence on the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of anemia management interventions for pregnant women in developing countries. The review followed the 2020 PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251089753). Article searches were conducted across five primary databases (CINAHL, CENTRAL, PubMed, …

Clustering Community Risk Behaviors For Non-Communicable Diseases In Indonesia: Based On Indonesian Health Survey Data, Hanif Pandu Suhito, Mahalul Azam, Dina Nur Anggraini Ningrum, Sholikun Sholikun

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia

Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and heart disease are major causes of morbidity and mortality in Indonesia. Community behaviors, including smoking, low physical activity, and unhealthy diets, significantly influence NCD incidence. To analyze associations between behavioral risk factors (daily smoking, physical inactivity, consumption of sugary foods and drinks, salty foods, fatty foods, soft drinks, and inadequate fruit intake) and the prevalence of NCDs, and to classify regions based on risk factors and disease prevalence. A cross-sectional study was conducted using secondary data from the 2023 Indonesian Health Survey (IHS), encompassing 345,000 households across 39 provinces. The …

Understanding The Impact Of Pictorial Health Warnings On Smoking Behavior Among Adolescents, Pandji Winata Nurikhwan, Hadrianti Haji Darise Lasari, Dessy Maulina, Mustafa Mustafa, Abdillah Ahsan, Anis Kamila Saleha, Indra Haryanto Ali

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia

Smoking behavior remains a health challenge in Indonesian society. Riskesdas data shows an increase in smoking prevalence in adolescent groups. One of the control efforts is the implementation of PHW (Pictorial Health Warnings) on cigarette packs in accordance with Permenkes RI No. 28 of 2013. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of cigarette packs in influencing smoking intention and behavior PHW among adolescents in Tanah Bumbu Regency, Banjarbaru City and Banjarmasin City. The study used a quantitative method with a cross-sectional design. Samples were obtained through an accidental sampling technique, obtaining 315 smoking adolescents and 62 non-smoking adolescents. The …

Relationship Between Cadres Knowledge And Ability To Document Arumdalu Integrated Service Posts (Posyandu) Information System Reports, Devi Pramita Sari, Andi Zulkifli

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia

The high demands of administration and activities report at Integrated Service Posts (Posyandu) requiring cadres skills in documenting data accurately. In this field, the reality shows that many cadres lack adequate knowledge regarding. The Posyandu information system, especially the Arumdalu Posyandu. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the relationship between cadres' knowledge and ability to document reports on the Arumdalu Posyandu information system. The quantitative analytical research design used a cross-sectional, longitudinal (pre-post digital training), and mixed methods approach, complemented by Social Network Analysis (SNA). The research sample consisted of 60 Posyandu cadres at the Arumdalu Posyandu …

Adaptation Of Moringa Leaf Extract On Hemoglobin And Arm Circumference In Adolescent Girls Semarang, Sri Achadi Nugraheni, Ari Yuniastuti, Suryani As’Ad, Pingkan Fristiwi, Fatimah Asri Fadhilah Aulia, Shafa Alya Kamila

Media Kesehatan Masyarakat Indonesia

Adolescent malnutrition, particularly anemia, remains a major public health challenge in developing countries, including Indonesia, as it increases the risk of growth retardation, developmental disorders, poor pregnancy outcomes, and infectious diseases. Nutritional interventions during adolescence are crutial for improving health and breaking the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. This study aimed to analyze the effect of Moringa oleifera capsules on hemoglobin (Hb) levels and Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) among adolescent girls in Semarang. A quasi-experimental study with a pretest–posttest control group design was conducted in two junior high schools in Semarang (SMPN 39 and SMPN 8), involving 102 female students aged …

Improving Efficiency In Phlebotomy And Investigation Services: A Quality Improvement Project, Irene Okumu-Taylor

South West Clinical School Journal

No abstract provided.